Sarah Calams

2 days ago | police1.com | Sarah Calams

Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in submitting your poetry for consideration, email [email protected]. For Isabel McDonald, a veteran Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officer and longtime K-9 handler, writing poetry began as a deeply personal effort to offer peace to the grieving. Now, her words will be read across the National Mall.

6 days ago | police1.com | Sarah Calams

When backup takes 15 minutes — or isn’t available — officers are left to handle high-risk calls alone. In the “What Cops Want in 2025" survey, based on responses from over 1,200 officers nationwide, nearly one in four said they typically wait more than 11 minutes for backup or don’t receive it at all. Many described working solo, responding to violent calls without support and making critical decisions under pressure. The responses reveal a system stretched thin.

1 month ago | police1.com | Sarah Calams

Let’s be honest: It’s hard enough to carve out time for a workout — add long shifts, late nights and high-stress calls, and it feels near impossible. But if you’re a first responder with a dog at home, you might already have the workout partner you didn’t know you needed. Why exercise with your dog? Incorporating your dog into your workouts isn’t just good for your physical health — it can also improve your dog’s behavior, reduce anxiety and support overall well-being.

1 month ago | police1.com | Sarah Calams

For many first responders, pets are more than just animals — they’re companions, stress relievers and often an important part of emotional recovery. Whether you’re a police officer returning from a night shift, a firefighter decompressing after a call or a paramedic coming off a 24-hour rotation, pets can offer a grounding sense of routine and connection. But with unpredictable hours and high-pressure work, how can first responders give their pets the care they need?

1 month ago | police1.com | Sarah Calams

They’ve seen policing from both ends of a radio. They’ve pursued suspects on foot and tracked them by drone. They’ve stood in the middle of chaotic scenes and sat behind glowing monitors, watching them unfold in real time. Chris Henningsen still remembers when a patrol officer would arrive on scene and make decisions based on what little they could piece together from a phone call that happened minutes — or sometimes hours — before.